SSD drives boost durability, critical application performance

For years, hard disk drives have remained the go-to storage solution for both consumers and business users. The pairing of generous capacity with a relatively low cost of investment made them a popular option for individuals and organizations looking to get the most bang for their buck. As technology advances, however, devices based on the operation of magnetic storage options have begun to show some cracks in their foundation.

HDDs are fundamentally dependent on the performance of their internal moving parts. When users want to either copy data to a drive or access files already stored on it, they must wait for the device's read/write heads to position into place. This delay results in noticeable lag time between the moment an individual clicks on an application or file and when it actually launches. Consumers and employees who have waited a seemingly interminable stretch of time for their desktop PCs to boot can thank the physical limitations of HDDs.

Today, many business users need to be able to access their critical applications as soon as possible, but this may not be achievable as long as HDDs are exclusively tasked with data storage demands. The emergence of solid state technology has provided a high-performing alternative to the sluggish application launches offered by magnetic storage. SSD drives run on flash-based memory and are devoid of any internal moving components, so they are not beholden to similar physical limitations. If crucial applications are moved to a flash-based storage device, they can be launched more quickly. In addition, users can store their operating systems on an SSD drive to boot up their computers without delay.

The performance benefits of solid state technology and NAND flash memory have made SSDs extremely popular among consumers and employees who require more responsiveness from their hardware. For example, CNET Asia contributor Michael Tan recently suggested that new PlayStation 4 and Xbox One owners consider replacing their machine's standard hard drive with an SSD or a hybrid solution.

"[I]t's clear that SSDs and hybrid drives (mechanical drive with some flash) outperforms the stock hard drive substantially," Tan wrote. "Going for the SSD option with your new PS4 and Xbox One will save you lots of time every day."

SSDs continue running in harsh conditions
Tan also noted that the increased durability of SSD drives would likely keep these video game systems running longer as they are less susceptible to damaging internal heat fluctuations. The rugged nature of flash memory has made it a hallmark of the industrial sector for decades, but only recently have traditional businesses and consumers been able to appreciate these benefits. One issue that HDD owners must remain cognizant of is the short shelf life these devices typically offer. The hardware's internal components are extremely delicate and can be easily damaged even under normal operating conditions. When these parts breakdown, the data stored on an HDD may not be recoverable.

Conversely, the NAND flash memory powering SSD drives offers years of reliable service. Storage Reviews conducted a comparison of the new formats and found that SSDs far outpaced magnetic-based options in regard to durability and lifespan.

"[NAND-based flash] is a non-volatile type of memory," the source stated. "What does non-volatile mean you ask? The simple answer is that you can turn off the disk and it won't 'forget' what was stored on it. This is of course an essential characteristic of any type of permanent memory. … [Y]ou can read and write to an SSD all day long and the data storage integrity will be maintained for well over 200 years. In other words, the data storage life of an SSD can outlive you!"

DIGISTOR's Industrial SSD drives offer the durability and performance needed to run critical processes under any circumstances. These devices can be customized to fit the unique needs of a particular organization, ensuring that applications and systems can be launched on demand whenever needed.